Article handling device



Feb. 2, 1932.

M. E. FIRST ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE INVENToR. /m iff/s Feb. 2, 1932. 1 ME F|R$T 1,843,599

ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1929 s Smets-sheet 2 A TTORNEYJFeb. 2, 1932. M E, FlRs-r I 1,843,599

ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1929 3 Sheets-Shee't 3 i514 /'7l748h41: /53 E348 ly i f2* l l@ H l @l i0/ /5 I out: 46 o: o l 1 l ol oi3/@iT gi@ 25a/#l WO1 :o f l/ M Q l A TTORNEKS Patented Fel). 2, 1932 yl ,iran 'STAT-Es" Menton nrinsnpir CLEVELANDQQHIQASSIGNOR 'ro THE e. o.BAMLETT AND SNOW 1 COMPANY; or CLEVELAND, OHIO, n eoronnrroiv or omoPATENT `for-1nce.A

AR-,TICLE- HANDLING DEVCE kApplication .ledifianuary 25, 1929.l SerialNo. 335,134;

vThe present jinventiom as indicated, relatesv to an article: handlingdevice, and more particularly to a pusher mechanism fortrans-kv ferringarticles from one to. another of a plurality' of conveyors.IV ,Theprincipal oli-Ak ject of the invention 1s to lprovide means wherebyarticles onone of three conveyors will, automatically actuate an-Yoperating'- means Vfor a plurality of pushers, one of` ff; which willmove a given articley from `the first to the second conveyor', andtheother of which will thereafter automatically move the article from thesecond to the, third con-- veyor. Another object is to provide auto,-

L.; matic operatingl means for a .plurality of pushers whereby thepushers- Will ber successively operated. To the accomplishment of theforegoing and related ends, said invention, then,` con-sistsof the meanshereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims. YA y The annexed drawings and the followingdescription set forth indetail certainl mech, anism embodying the invention, such disclosedmeans constituting, howvevendiut one of various mechanical forms inwhich the principle of the invention may be used.v 1 ,Y

lnj said annexed drawings Figi is aplan view of thek article handlingdevice showing the relationof the three con veyors andthe upper pushertoeach other ;l

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showingthe relation of the twopushercylindersto each other and showing;thel details of the lower p usher;Fig. 3 is .plan view of the pjusheroperat-- ing mechanism; Fig. 4; is aside elevation. of one of the pusher operating` levers; and Fig. 5 islaside elevation of a couuterweighted arm and its connection to a valveopera'ting'rod;

The present system is devised primarily i for the purpose ofhandlingmold .liasks in a foundry. Poured flasks ony bottomv boards are carriedfrom the point at Which. the metal is poured to the section ofthefmachme shown in VFig.. 1 on acoolinn' conveyor land are then movedonto the flask conveyor 2 and finally ontor the Walking grate Theoperators lstand on opposite sidesof the Walking grate 3. and remove theflasks from the molds, re-

53 turning the flask to the'llask conveyor 2 to be returned to themolding stations. The C9115 veyor 1 may be of any Well knowntypemhoughit is. preferably lpovver driven, and the Vconf veyor2 is preferablyofthe gravity ',rollertype.E

Mounted at the side `of the cooling .Cnn-z veyor 1,4 removed fromtheflask` conveyor 2,

are tivo cylinders fi and 5 receivingpistons to which arefattaclledpiston rods 6 andy 7' 6X1 tending from the ends ofthe cylindersjadjacentthe conveyor system. Attached to the free endr of the piston rod 7 is acar 8 pr-.ovidtvd'v withA Wheels 9 supported on a trackway' l'0`.f.Saidtraclvvay extends beneath the coolingvv portion 11 extends at asharp angle between` the tWo portions 10aa-nd 10b. The car is providedat its forward end with a `pairof upwardlyv extending fingers 12,carrying atf their free ends a. crossy bar 12, said' fingers beingspaced as` shown in Fig. 1^.

Flasks are fed from the conveyor 1 ont'oa table 1",mounted ontheframework of' which isa plate 13 carrying a pivot pin 'Mon which ismounted alever indicated generally at '16;' The lever 1.6 is made up ofa pair of strips' 17 spaced from each other byv sleevesy mounted on theconnecting rivets. The end 19 of the leverl. is provided at its free extremity With aplurality of apertures 21,'any one of which mayselectively receive a pinV 22 upon Which is rotatably mounted a Wheelor` roller 23'. The opposite end 20 is sinllarlyi provided With aplurality of apertures 21 for selectively receiving `a similar pill 22T'supporting a similar roller 23. Asfis'shown inFig. 17 the plate v1 isformed/.With a pair of slots 74 and 7 5 throughwhich the rollers. 23 and23 may be projected. lAdjacentfits' extremity the end 19 yofthe lever16A carries a projection 2li-to which is pivotally attached; by means ofa pin 2 6, an arni25, Irigidly mounted on a rock shaft 2,7. Said roel;lshaft is supported at one .end in a plate 2 8 attached to said.framework and adjacent its. opposite end in a similar plate 29 similarlymounted;

`The shaft 27 extends beyond they plate 29 ec, v

and an arm is rigidly attached to said extending end. rl"he arm 30carries at its free end a counterweight 31, and intermediate its ends isprovided with a pin 30 to which is pivotally attached a link 32. Thelink 32 is screw-threaded at its free end as at 33 and is provided witha plurality of adjustingnuts 34 adapted to receive and retainbetweenthem the eyeleted end of an operating arm 35 rigidly mounted on avalve operating rod 36. The valve 76 may be of the rotary plug type, andis connected to asource of iuid under pressure by a pipe or hose 77.Said valve 76 is so constructed that, when the arm 35 is rocked in aclockwise direction, the valve is positioned to allow fluid flow througha pipe' or hose 78 to the cylinder 4 to project the piston 6, and whenthe arm 35 is rocked to the positionv shown in Fig?. 5, fluid is allowedto flow to the cylinder 4 through another pipe or hose 79 to retract thepiston 6.

Mounted adjacent the plate 13 is a similar plate 43 carrying a pin 44 onwhich is pivotally mounted a lever 46, such lever being made up ofparallel strips 47 spaced from each other by sleeves 48 mounted on theconnecting rivets. The end 49 of the lever 46 is provided near itsextremity with a plurality of apertures 51 adapted selectively toreceive a pin 52 mounting a roller 53; and the end of said lever 46carries adjacent its end a projection similar to the projection 24 onthe lever 16 and similarly connected toa rock shaft 57. The end 50 ofsaid lever further carries a pin 52 mounting a roller 53', and it willbe seen that the plate 1 is provided with a pair of slots 80 and 81through which the rollers 53 and 53 may respectively be projected. Saidrock shaft 57 is supported in plates 58 and 59 and carries at its outerextremity an arm 60 to which is attached a counterweight 61 and which isconnected to a second valve 82 for controlling iuid flow to the cylinder5 vin the manner described in connection with the arm 30 and the valveoperating rod 36, said' valve 82 being connectedV to a source of fluidunder pressure through a pipe or hose 83. This second valve 82 is soconstructed that when the arm 60 is rocked ina clockwise direction,fluid is admitted to the cylinder 5 through a pipe or hose 85 to retractthe piston 7, and when the arm is rocked in a counter-clockwisedirection, fluid is admitted to the cylinder through a-pipeor hose 84 toproject the piston 7 A plate 45 is attached to the extreme end 50 of thelever 46 and extends beneath the end 20 of the lever 16.

The operation of my device is as follows: After metal has been pouredinto a flask F carried upon a bottom board F', the ask is carried bytheconveyor 1 toward that portion of the machine which is shown in Fig. 1.As the ask is carried toward the pusher operating mechanism, its bottomboard even- Leaase tually strikes the roller 23 on the end 19 of thelever 16, and depresses that end of the lever. rlhrougli the arm 25, theshaft 27 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5,and the valve 7 6 controlling the cylinder 4 is thus positioned, throughthe connections'30, 32 and 35 to permit'flow throughthe line 79. Fluidis thereupon admitted to the cylinder 4, and the piston rod 6 iswithdrawn, thus clearing the plate 1 for passag'eof the flaskthereacross. The bottom board next strikes the roller 53 on the end 50of the lever 46, attention being called to the fact that the lever 46 isshorter than the lever 16 to provide for such successive operation.Depression of this end of the lever 46 causes rotation in acounterclockwise direction of the rock shaft 57 and consequent operationof the valve 82 controlling the cylinder 5 to permit fluid to flowthrough the line 84 to project the piston 7.

As the flask continues to move across the plate 1, its bottom boardstrikes the roller 53 on the end 49 of the lever 46, thus depressingsaid end 49, and rotating the shaft 57 in a clockwisev direction. Thevalve 82 is thus positioned to permit fluid How through the line 85 tothe cylinder 5 to retract the piston rod 7. Finally the bottom board Fof said flask strikes the roller 23 on the end 19 of the lever 16 anddepresses the same, thus rotating the arm 30 in a clockwise direction.The valve 76 is thus positionedv to permit fluid flow through the line78 to project the piston 6. As the piston 6 moves toward the right asviewed in Fig. 2, it carries with it its attached cross bar 86 whichengages thebottom lboard'F to move said board and flask F laterally ontothe conveyor 2.

As the next flask moves onto the table 1, the above cycle is repeated.lt first depresses the roller 23 to retract the piston rod 6, and thendepresses the roller 53 to position the valve 82 to permit fluid Howthrough the line 84 to project the piston 7. As the piston rod 7 isforced outwardly Jfrom the cylinder 5, the c`ar 8 is moved transverselyof the conveyors along its trackway. Its first movement causes thewheels 9 to start to rise along the connecting portion 11 ofthetrackwayfthus moving the lingers 12 toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2and upwardly, just clearing the lright hand edge of the plate 1. Theheight of the portion 11 of the trackway 10 is just sufficient to liftthe cross bar 12 to a position such that it clears the bottoni board Fof the first-mentioned flask on the conveyor 2 and engages such flask F.During further movement of the piston rod 7, the front wheels of the car8 ride along the raised portion 10a of the trackway with the cross bar12 inengagement with the flask F, and stripping the flask F from itsVbottom board and moving the same transversely of the conveyor 2 and ontothe walking grate 3, Vwhile CTE alertar wheels-9i or are 'Car' simo-Veffneng; the

wlierein the engaging elements thereofl are raised into position tocontact a member onthe upper-'surface 'off'tlie conveyor while thepiston rod is still allowed a straight horizontal push.

As the second flask continues to move along the plate'l, it firststrikes the roller 53, thus positioning the valve 82 to permit fluidflow through the line 85 to withdraw the piston ing, in;-combinatiomvtwo valves to z control Huid supply to pusher-actuatingcylinders, a.

7; and then strikes the roller 23. Vhen the roller 23 is depressed, thevalve 76 is positioned to permit fluid flow through the line 7 8 toproject the piston 6 whereby said second flask is moved laterally ontothe conveyor 2.

Through the above described operation of the pushers, the flask is thusmoved from the conveyor' l onto the conveyor 2 and thence immediatelyonto the walking grate 3 leaving the bottom board on the return conveyor2. The operation of the walking grate tends to loosen the mold andcasting from the flask,

and the operator stationed beside the walking grate lifts the flask off'the walking grateand places it on the return conveyor 2. The sand, ofcourse, is left with the casting on the walking grate and, due to theaction of such grate, is knocked away from the casting and falls throughthe bars of the grate, while the casting is carried by said grate to thenext station. The force of gravity causes the empty flask to move downthe roller conveyor 2 to the molding stations where it is againutilized. f

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, yprol vided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed. i

I therefore particularly point out and disi tinctly claim as myinvention:-

l. An automatic article handling device comprising two conveyorsparallel with each other, and a third conveyor at right angles thereto,a pusher adapted to move'articles from the first to the second conveyor,a second pusher adapted to move articles from the second to the thirdconveyor, and independent automatic means each controlled by an articleon said first conveyor for operating "J said pushers.

Q. An automatic article handling device comprising two conveyorsparallel witheach other, and a third conveyor at right angles `thereto,a pusher adapted tovmove articles from the first to the second conveyor,a sec-l ond pusher adapted to move articles from the second to the thirdconveyor, and independent automatic means each controlled by an articleon said lirst conveyor for succes- Sively operating Said pushers.

- A8.*'ln a .conveyor sys'te1n-comprising. three conveyors,a pusher formoving articles from the4 first conveyor to thesecond, aV second pusherffor moving articles from the second tothe third conveyor, andv separatecontrolling means for eachr of said pushers, each controlling meanscomprising'a lever 'adapt ed to bemoved by anarticle on the firstconveyor, the lever for controlling said first pusher projecting beyondboth endsof the leverfor actuating said second pusher.

4; A pusher actuating mechanism compris` handle for operating eachvalve, two rook shafts, a ccunterweighted. army on eachrrock shaft, alink connecting eachV valve handle with-its respective arm, two levers,one of said. levers being wholly positioned between the planes normal tothe other lever anddefined by the ends thereof,- andconnections betweenVsaid rock shaftsiand said respective.

levers..

5.I1n an article handling device, the com-y ofl a pusher formovingfart-icles vfrom said '-f second conveyor A comprising a cylindermounted'on'the sideo'f said Afirst conveyor removed fromsaid) secondconveyor, a piston rod extending from said cylinder, atrackway extendingfrom a point adjacent said cylinder beneath said first conveyor and, atahigher level, beneath saidl second conveyor, and a car lon saidtrackwayandconnected to said ,ist-on. rod saidffcar Ahaving; an extensionadapted to; engage an article on said second conveyor. a Y Tf In anarticlel handling device,the combination with a pai rvof parallelconveyors, at least one .of which is of the gravity roller type,fofapusher for moving articles from l said'rolier ,conveyor comprising acylinder separated fronrsaid roller conveyor by said other. conveyor, apiston rodY extending fromv said cylinder, `a trackwayy extending` froma point Vadjacent said. l cylinder` beneath both ifi said conveyors,that', portion of said trackway beneath said roller conveyor being at ahigh-f er levelfthan the remainder thereof, and a car on saidtrackwayandy connected to said piston rod, car having an extension adapted `to 5engage'an article on said roller conveyor.

' 8L" lny an'articl'e handling device, the comF binati'cn witha pair ofparallel conveyors, at least one of which is of thegravity roller type,ofjra pusher 'for moving articles from said vroller conveyor comprisinga cylinder separated from said roller conveyor by said other conveyor, apiston rod extending from said cylinder, a traclway extending from apoint adjacent said cylinder beneath both said conveyors, that portionof said trackway beneath said roller conveyor being at a. higher' levelthan the remainder thereof, and a car on said trackway and connected tosaid piston rod, said car being provided at its forward end with a pairof upwardly extending ngers adapted to be projected .between the rollersof said roller conveyor and carrying a cross-bar adapted to engage anarticle on said roller conveyor'.

9. In an article handling device, the combination with a pair ofparallel conveyors, at least one of which is of the gravity roller type,of a pusher for moving articles from said roller conveyor comprising acylinder separated from said roller conveyor by said other conveyor, apiston rod extending from said cylinder, a trackway extending from apoint adjacent said cylinder beneath both said conveyors, that portionof said trackway beneath said roller conveyor being at a higher levelthan the remainder thereof, and a car on said traclway and connected tosaid piston rod, saidV car being provided at its forward end with a pairof upwardly extending fingers adapted to be projected between therollers of said roller conveyor and carrying a cross-bar adapted toengage an article on said roller conveyor, and a pusher for movingarticles from said other conveyor to said roller conveyor, comprising acylinder mounted above said first-mentioned cylinder, and a piston rodextending from said second cylinder and adapted to engage an article onsaid other conveyor.

10. In an article handling device, the combination with a pair ofparallel conveyors, at

least one of which is of the gravity roller type,

of a pusher for moving articles from said roller conveyor comprising acylinder separated from said roller -conveyor by said other conveyor, apiston rod extending from said cylinder, a trackway extending from apoint adjacent said cylinder beneath both said conveyors, that portionofsaid trackway beneath said roller conveyor being at a higher levelAthan the remainder thereof, and a caron said trackway and connected tosaid piston rod, said car being provided at its forward lend with a pairof upwardly extending fingers adapted to be projected between therollers ot said roller conveyor and carrying an element adapted toengage an article on said roller conveyor, a pusher for moving articlesfrom saidr other conveyor to said roller conveyor, comprising a cylindermounted above said first-mentioned cylinder, a piston rod extending fromsaid second cylinder and adapted to engage an article on said otherconveyor, and

means adapted to be engaged by. an' article on said other conveyor foractuating said pushers` successively. l A

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